Today, the McAuliffe Administration announced the members and first meeting date for Virginia’s Standards of Learning Innovation Committee.

Building on the work that began with legislation passed during the 2014 General Assembly Session, the Standards of Learning Innovation Committee will take a comprehensive look at Virginia’s Standards of Learning system. After an exhaustive review of stakeholder recommendations and applications, the Committee members were selected by Virginia Secretary of Education Anne Holton. They will be charged with making recommendations to the Board of Education and the General Assembly on ways to further reform SOL assessments, student growth measures, and encourage innovative teaching in the classroom.

“Virginia’s education system is one of the best in the world, and continues to grow stronger every day. I am proud that during the 2014 legislative session, my administration and the General Assembly worked together in a bipartisan way to make significant progress on one of my top priorities-reforming the Standards of Learning. This is the first step in ensuring that our education system works for Virginia's students, teachers and families," said Governor McAuliffe. “While we have already reduced the amount of SOL tests, the real work begins with enacting reforms to our educational system that will prepare our students for jobs of the 21st Century. I look forward to working with this group to make Virginia a leader in creativity and innovation in the classroom.”

“This Committee has the opportunity to truly shape the next generation of Virginia’s Standards of Learning,” said Holton. “The membership represents diverse perspectives from around the Commonwealth. I am confident that the Committee will develop both short-term and long-term recommendations to better align our education system with the needs of the 21st century economy.”

The first meeting of the Committee will be held in Richmond on Tuesday, July 15, 2014.

Members of the Committee are as follows:

Dr. Shawnrell Blackwell of Chester, Director of School Improvement, Petersburg City Public Schools

Kelly Booz of Alexandria, Member, City of Alexandria School Board

Jeffrey Bourne of Richmond, Member, Richmond City School Board

Terri Breeden of Fairfax, Assistant Superintendent, Fairfax County Public Schools

Dabney Carr of Richmond, Partner at Troutman Sanders Law Firm

Dr. Jared Cotton of Henry County, Superintendent, Henry County Public Schools

Benjamin Williams of Roanoke, Director of Testing, Roanoke County Public Schools

Sanford Williams of Manassas, Member, Manassas City School Board

Renee Zando of Henrico, Guidance Counselor, Henrico County Public Schools

Additionally, the Committee will have representation from the General Assembly. Four members of the House of Delegates will be appointed by the Speaker of the House and two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate.

Members of the Virginia House of Delegates are as follows:

Delegate Thomas A. Greason

Delegate Roxann Robinson

Delegate Jim LeMunyon

Delegate Rob Krupicka

Members of the Senate of Virginia are as follows:

Senator Creigh Deeds

Senator John Miller

Dr. Steven Staples, Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction; Christian Braunlich, President of the Board of Education; and the Secretary of Education will serve as exofficio members.